Here's how that went...
DVD Players:
Probably the best thing we purchased before the trip. Portable DVD players hooked to the headrest of the front seats. The girls took turns picking movies and were entertained for at least part of the trip. The way home found them watching the same 10 episodes of Paw Patrol. A gift from Aunt Janice before leaving.
Stops along the way:
I packed lunches for the drive so we could stop at rest stops to have a picnic. This was great. The girls loved chasing birds and running around. Although no one told Jackie about flies and picnics. Jackie hates all things bugs. Except lady bugs and rolly pollies...those apparently are ok. Flies will cause a screaming/crying panic. I've tried explaining that they're just "rolly pollies with wings" but that didn't work. Ethan finally convinced her to just say "Shoo Fly" and that would work.
The girls experienced their first hotel stay complete with "special beds" and swimming pools. They looked forward to each night because that meant a swim and cartoons that we don't usually have at home.
Aunt Beth and Uncle Chris' house:
Normally, when the girls get to see their cousins it's back in Kansas at Grandma's house. This time they got to invade a new space complete with cotton candy grapes, new and different toys, a puppy, and a working piano. They did a great job sleeping on their "special bed" and attended their very first parade on the Fourth of July! They loved the candy and thought the fire trucks were VERY loud!
Normally, when the girls get to see their cousins it's back in Kansas at Grandma's house. This time they got to invade a new space complete with cotton candy grapes, new and different toys, a puppy, and a working piano. They did a great job sleeping on their "special bed" and attended their very first parade on the Fourth of July! They loved the candy and thought the fire trucks were VERY loud!
Boy or Girl?
Ethan and I found out about mid-June whether the new baby is a boy or girl, but we kept it to our selves. We wanted to have a reveal cake for the girls, and what better place to do that than on vacation in New Jersey. With the recommendations from Aunt Beth and Aunt Janice I found a cute little bakery to make us a cake. Jackie really wanted a girl, so when she cut the cake to find out the inside was BLUE I was worried she would be upset. Nope. Cheers all around! Here comes a boy! **I will mention that Jackie has already put in her request for next time we have a baby. She asked to make sure that a girl baby gets put in there next time.** :-)
We love the power of connecting people and technology. All our family back in Kansas were able to be a part of the big reveal thanks to multiple iPads and iPhones and Facetime!
The FREE Zoo!
This place was seriously awesome. I've been to some free zoos in my life, but nothing like this. Big animals, lots of interaction for the kids, and all just for a free-will donation. It was packed, but for good reason.
Ethan and I found out about mid-June whether the new baby is a boy or girl, but we kept it to our selves. We wanted to have a reveal cake for the girls, and what better place to do that than on vacation in New Jersey. With the recommendations from Aunt Beth and Aunt Janice I found a cute little bakery to make us a cake. Jackie really wanted a girl, so when she cut the cake to find out the inside was BLUE I was worried she would be upset. Nope. Cheers all around! Here comes a boy! **I will mention that Jackie has already put in her request for next time we have a baby. She asked to make sure that a girl baby gets put in there next time.** :-)
We love the power of connecting people and technology. All our family back in Kansas were able to be a part of the big reveal thanks to multiple iPads and iPhones and Facetime!
The FREE Zoo!
This place was seriously awesome. I've been to some free zoos in my life, but nothing like this. Big animals, lots of interaction for the kids, and all just for a free-will donation. It was packed, but for good reason.
The Beach!
The girls' first experience with playing in the ocean. Their faces say it all.
The girls' first experience with playing in the ocean. Their faces say it all.
Aunt Janice and Uncle Ron's House:
Waterbaloons, Sweedish Fish, and a trampoline made for a good time each day, as it would anywhere. But there's magic at Uncle Ron and Aunt Janice's place. Magic in dissapearing bed times, rules about when you can have candy, and you always get dessert, even if you don't finish your dinner! The girls loved playing with the puppies, running around, and playing games with Aunt Janice. Aunt Janice went out of her way to try and win "favorite aunt" status. The girls were definitely sad to leave and still ask if we have any of the candy like Aunt Janice did.
Waterbaloons, Sweedish Fish, and a trampoline made for a good time each day, as it would anywhere. But there's magic at Uncle Ron and Aunt Janice's place. Magic in dissapearing bed times, rules about when you can have candy, and you always get dessert, even if you don't finish your dinner! The girls loved playing with the puppies, running around, and playing games with Aunt Janice. Aunt Janice went out of her way to try and win "favorite aunt" status. The girls were definitely sad to leave and still ask if we have any of the candy like Aunt Janice did.
Bowling!
Another first for Jackie and Kat. The had a blast! The bowling ally we went to had great ways to make this fun for toddlers. They even had cute little toddler bowling shoes!
Another first for Jackie and Kat. The had a blast! The bowling ally we went to had great ways to make this fun for toddlers. They even had cute little toddler bowling shoes!
The Aquarium:
We decided to hit the Aquarium in Camden on our way home. The girls loved seeing all the fish, touching the star-fish and watching the sharks overhead. It was a jam-packed Friday at the Aquarium and both Ethan and I thought it would have been better on a less-crowded type of day.
We decided to hit the Aquarium in Camden on our way home. The girls loved seeing all the fish, touching the star-fish and watching the sharks overhead. It was a jam-packed Friday at the Aquarium and both Ethan and I thought it would have been better on a less-crowded type of day.
The long drive home:
We really pushed it to get home, mostly by accident. The second day on the road Ethan half-jokingly said "I thought about suggesting to push on to Burlington and stay the night with your parents if we make it to St. Louis by a decent time. Ha-ha." I didn't take it as a joke, and we pushed on. It meant a 12 hour day in the car, which was not fun for the girls...we did what we could to "sweeten" the deal. Plus we spent the night in a King size guest bed and only had a 2 hour drive home the next day. Definitely worth it!
We had a great time on our first vacation. We now know that the girls can handle long car rides as long as there's Paw Patrol in the DVD players and snacks to pass back. After this a long weekend trip to Colorado doesn't sound too bad :)
We really pushed it to get home, mostly by accident. The second day on the road Ethan half-jokingly said "I thought about suggesting to push on to Burlington and stay the night with your parents if we make it to St. Louis by a decent time. Ha-ha." I didn't take it as a joke, and we pushed on. It meant a 12 hour day in the car, which was not fun for the girls...we did what we could to "sweeten" the deal. Plus we spent the night in a King size guest bed and only had a 2 hour drive home the next day. Definitely worth it!
We had a great time on our first vacation. We now know that the girls can handle long car rides as long as there's Paw Patrol in the DVD players and snacks to pass back. After this a long weekend trip to Colorado doesn't sound too bad :)
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